Air NZ cup preview: Taranaki should eke out a win

Taranaki vs Tasman
New Plymouth, 2.35pm

The lowdown: Don't bother taping over last week's episode of Coro St for this. Taranaki grovelled out an unconvincing six-point win against bottom-feeders Manawatu last week and will be happy with a similar result against the might of the Top o' the South. Tasman thrashed the same opposition the previous week but teams have struggled coming off the bye. That's a fancy way of saying they don't know what to do with themselves on the week off.

Look out for: Some motivated Tasmanians. Greg Feek, returning from injury, is a Taranaki product (though he played most of his rep rugby in Canterbury), as is Cory Holdaway and reserve halfback James King. Given Taranaki's problems at halfback this year - Brendon Haami has been dropped for Brett Goodin - they might wish they had King back.

What we think: These are two teams huddling under the umbrella of mediocrity. With new boys Tasman, that's understandable, with Taranaki, less so. If we're forced to, then it's a home win in Taradise... just.

Taranaki - Asalemo Malo, John Mow, Mathew Harvey, Lifeimi Mafi, Paul Perez, Miah Nikora, Brett Goodin, Tomasi Soqeta, Joe Lawn, Jarrad Hoeata, Brendon McGlashan, Paul Tito (c), Census Johnson, Laurence Corlett, Tony Penn. Reserves: James Annabell, Shane Cleaver, John Willis, Scott Waldrom, Brendan Haami, Jack Cameron, Brendon Watt.

Tasman - Robbie Malneek, Lucky Mulipola, Peter Playford, Aaron Kimura, Ali Durrant, Ben Gollings, Kahn Fotuali'i, Cory Holdaway, Jonathan Poff, Alex Ainley, George Naoupu, Chris Bentley, Ben May, Ti'i Paulo (c), John Brooks. Reserves: Mark Stewart, Greg Feek, Kahu Marfell, Mark Bright, James King, Saul Luamanuvae, Tim Taylor.